Dr. George Campbell Lewis, Jr., former assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology in the School of Medicine, passed away April 3 of a pulmonary embolism. He was 91 years old.

Dr. Lewis taught in the School of Medicine from 1947 to 1963. Following his tenure at Penn, he served as chairman for the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Hahnemann University Hospital until 1973. He then joined Thomas Jefferson University, where he remained until 2000.

An advocate for research funding for women’s reproductive diseases, Dr. Lewis was a founder and first president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists. He was a past president of the Philadelphia chapter of what is now known as the American Cancer Society and a recipient of its Outstanding Service Awards. He was also a past president of the American Radium Society and was awarded the society’s gold medal in 1982.

Dr. Lewis was a consultant to several hospitals and wrote or cowrote more than 100 articles. He served as a board examiner after gynecologic oncology was recognized as a subspecialty.

A native of Kentucky, but raised in Bryn Mawr, Dr. Lewis earned his bachelor’s degree from Haverford College in 1942 and his medical degree from Penn in 1944.

After serving in the Army Medical Corps in Europe he returned to Penn and completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology and fellowships in radiation therapy and gynecologic oncology.

Dr. Lewis is survived by his sons, James and George, III; daughters, Betsy, Carol Sharpless, Patricia Greer, and Anne Timmis; a sister; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Ms. Mathias, Human Resources

Julia Mathias, retired coordinator in the Benefits Department of the Division of Human Resources, passed away March 24 at the age of 97.

She worked in the Benefits Department from 1964 until her retirement in 1977.

Ms. Mathias is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ginnie and Rick Jones; a son-in-law and his wife, Ted and Puff Bathurst; grandchildren, Jason Bathurst, Rick Jones, Karen Bathurst Park, and Gwen Jones Kordonowy; and a great-granddaughter, Kayleen Sandra Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Missions Fund, 814 Andrews Avenue, Collingdale, PA 19023.

Mr. Staffieri, Penn Athletics

Dan “Lake” Staffieri, game-day coordinator for the Penn football team, passed away April 8 at age 85. He had been battling cancer of the bladder.

Mr. Staffieri had been on the football staff for the past 33 years. He got the nickname Lake because whenever he introduced himself to someone, he said, “Dan Staffieri, as in Lake Erie.”

Prior to joining Penn’s staff in 1977 as head freshman coach and an assistant to Harry Gamble’s staff, Mr. Staffieri coached at the high school level including, St. Joseph’s Prep, St. Thomas More, Lenape, Cherry Hill West, and West Catholic.

A native Philadelphian, Mr. Staffieri played college football at the University of Maryland and was a member of the Terps’ 1953 national championship team. While at Maryland, he played in four bowl games—two Orange Bowls, one Gator Bowl, and the 1953 Sugar Bowl.

According to Penn Athletics, “Coach Lake was well known throughout campus, and with his outfits he was certainly one of its most recognizable figures—usually plaid pants, a red blazer, and a cap. He also had a tendency to wear a piece of tape on his forehead with different messages. During football season, he could be seen on Fridays before home games being driven around campus in his Penn helmet cart, using his megaphone to raise school spirit. On game days, he prowled the sideline in his cart, wearing all of his Ivy League championship rings on his 10 fingers.”

“It is hard to believe that the face of Penn football will no longer be on the sidelines imploring kids to ‘do better than your best,’” said the George A. Munger Head Coach of Football, Al Bagnoli, who had recently presented Coach Lake with his 2009 Ivy League championship ring—Mr. Staffieri’s 13th with the program—just the day before. “Coach Dan ‘Lake’ Staffieri was the thread which linked past generations of players and coaches together and made them understand what ‘Penn Pride’ really meant. We join countless numbers of past players, coaches and alumni in expressing our deepest sympathy to his wife Suzanne ‘Buttercup’ and his family. He will forever be remembered as an iconic figure in Penn football and a great friend and mentor to all.”

“This is a sad day for the Penn Athletics family,” said Steve Bilsky, director of athletics. “Sometimes we overstate the impact that one has on people’s lives, but not with Coach Lake. He gave hope and confidence to generations of student-athletes who had the privilege to know him. We are all saddened by his passing, and our thoughts go out to his family.”

There is a statue depicting Mr. Staffieri in Franklin Field.

Mr. Staffieri is survived by his wife, Suzanne.

A memorial is planned for Mr. Staffieri but details haven’t been finalized.